Fishy Proposition May Pay

Painted Sailfish To Be Auctioned For Art Museum

FORT LAUDERDALE — In a creative divergence from the typical fund-raising parties with finger food, the Museum of Art is using painted sailfish as bait to raise money.

Modeled after the painted cows that appeared all over Chicago in 1999 and received national recognition, a campaign to raise money for the Museum of Art in downtown Fort Lauderdale will make use of 6- or 7-foot-tall painted sailfish.

Chicago used its 300 painted cows as a tourist magnet, creating maps showing where they could be found, marketing "Cows on Parade'' souvenirs and auctioning the cows when it was over. According to Chicago officials, the cows pumped $200 million into the economy and lured 1 million visitors.

The Fort Lauderdale version might not have such aggressive goals, but if the painted fish become a hot craze the benefit all goes to the downtown Museum of Art.

Downtown Development Authority members were advised of the campaign at a recent meeting, and they responded with support and money.

Individual artists -- known and unknown -- will put their creative mark on the fish, which are made of fiberglass and placed on posts for permanent display. Prominent artist Guy Harvey is on board, according to Melissa Milroy, one of the organizers of "Something Fishy in Fort Lauderdale."

"Guy Harvey has called and has agreed to do as many fish as we have sponsors for,'' she said.

Chicago's cows were adorned with a creative diversity of materials -- Astroturf included -- and designs.

Fort Lauderdale's sailfish are yet to be seen. Right now, the organization is collecting renderings from artists and pairing them with sponsors. Sponsors are shown renderings, and they choose one.

Sponsors are asked to pay $5,000 for a fish, and to display it. At the end of the campaign in February, the fish will be auctioned to the highest bidder.

A $10,000 contribution means the sponsor keeps the fish. Plaques on the fish will name the sponsor and the artist.

The DDA offered $5,000 and said the fish could be displayed in Huizenga Plaza downtown on Las Olas Boulevard.

"Clearly the Museum of Art is an important part of the downtown,'' said DDA Chairman Jack Loos. " ... and it's no secret they've been struggling."

"We've had great response from artists," said Milroy. " ... This is something that could really take off."

The Galleria mall is a partner in the campaign but won't benefit financially, Milroy said. The money all benefits the Museum of Art at Andrews Avenue and Las Olas Boulevard.

The group is still working with the city to meet standards for displaying the fish.